The Historical Market Analysis and Rationale of Electric Vehicles Batteries

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the market structure of rechargeable batteries, and the importance of battery production cost on the commercialization of Electric Vehicles. In this regard, the two generations of electric vehicle penetration in the society, in the period of 1996 to 2012, are concerned. It is argued that a combination of pre-production factors such as raw materials and technology breakthroughs, as well as post-production factors such as rise of East-Asian competitors will define the next market trend of EV batteries. Among the implications of this study, the competition between Korean, Chinese and Japanese battery suppliers is also explained.